I finished this book around a week ago, but it's only now that I've managed to push myself to write a review for it, so firstly my apologies for that little mishap go out to anybody who frequently reads this blog and its updates.
Secondly, and I shouldn't really admit this, but I will, I didn't read all of the book. I found that about two thirds of the way through, it began getting a little blank and very slow. However, in the introduction Eggers did warn the reader of this so, yeah, you are not given permission to shoot me for this little fact.
Thirdly: Read this book! Despite being a fairly young journalist/writer, Dave Eggers has lived a very eventful life; He lost both of his parents in a 6 month gap, his mother to stomach cancer and father to alcoholism, had to spend a number of years looking after his little brother and was switching jobs constantly.
When reading AHWOSG, I found the author to be extremely honest (except where stated) and straight-up with his facts, not missing anything out. And when I say 'anything' I mean it. The reader gets to read about what Eggers ate and how, the jobs he worked or looked for and his bedroom activities amongst a lot more.
Written in around ten parts with each part having any number of chapters/sections, AHWOSG is somewhat different to your average autobiography. While the biographies of today's celebrities (which seem to pop up after they've been famous for just 10 minutes) are usually (badly) written in a plain, orderly manner, this one tells Egger's life through a series of mid-length to long anecdotes. It even includes an extremely long interview with the bosses of an American Big Brother-esque TV programme which the writer attempted to take part in as a matter of (almost) survival.
Admittedly, some early parts were a little slow, but they soon picked up. However, I can't really complain as the reader was warned about this in the introduction and even advised to skip some sections. I can't really blame Eggers for saying this though, as there were sections in which I found myself either cringing, yawning or, once, falling asleep. And I hadn't even been drinking. With this in mind, everybody has boring parts of a life, DE just decided to tell us about his.
Despite being the work on an (at the time) unprofessional, this book was one which I found to be well-written and (mostly) gripping as well as funny and even heart-warming in parts. Would I pick it up again and re-read it from the start? Probably not, but there is a big chance that I may look to finish it sometime sooner or later. Who knows?
Overall rating 3.5 out 5
Wednesday 28 November 2012
Wednesday 14 November 2012
The Shining by Stephen King
This is a book which, had I not had it bought for me as an early Christmas present, I probably wouldn't have read at this point in my life. However, as a certain friend wanted me to read it and therefore bought it for me, I did. And oh how glad I am that this happened.
The Shining is the story of a hotel caretaker who, while spending the winter in a hotel, doing his job, with his wife and son, slowly has an extreme change of character. His son also happens to be a 'Shiner'. In other words, he can read minds. That's all I can say without truly ruining the book.
Having seen the film version of The Shining only once many years ago, I'd forgotten pretty much everything that happens. This didn't matter though, as the original book version is A LOT different to the film which means if you have seen the film, you haven't read the book.
I can safely say that I thoroughly enjoyed yet another of Stephen King's masterful works and found myself sitting until the early hours reading away. However, I did find that it was a bit slow to start with, but after around 100-150 pages, things started heating up and the book became a very worthy read.
Normally I don't find myself being moved or unnerved by books or films, but some certain scenes in The Shining left me feeling a little "on edge". The reason for this, I think, is likely to be the psychological aspects of it when Jack becomes somewhat possessed and mindfucked (not an actual description in the book, but I find it to be suitably descriptive).
There were also some parts which I found to be incredibly similar to the film Ghost Ship, most notably the ballroom/disco scenes in which the protagonist discovers a large party going on when it should be empty.
I've recently had a number of discussions about this book and its contents and we've always come to the conclusion that Jack Torrance is very likely modelled after Stephen King - he writes, is a recovered alcoholic and talks of places like Maine and New England.
Unfortunately, the version I had was badly edited in parts causing some confusion to what was happening. I'd therefore not recommend you buy the Hodder version of this book and if possible, get an older one which is likely to be a bit better edited. Other than that, I have no complaints about this piece of literary genius.
I'm going to give this a rating of 4/5.
The Shining is the story of a hotel caretaker who, while spending the winter in a hotel, doing his job, with his wife and son, slowly has an extreme change of character. His son also happens to be a 'Shiner'. In other words, he can read minds. That's all I can say without truly ruining the book.
Having seen the film version of The Shining only once many years ago, I'd forgotten pretty much everything that happens. This didn't matter though, as the original book version is A LOT different to the film which means if you have seen the film, you haven't read the book.
I can safely say that I thoroughly enjoyed yet another of Stephen King's masterful works and found myself sitting until the early hours reading away. However, I did find that it was a bit slow to start with, but after around 100-150 pages, things started heating up and the book became a very worthy read.
Normally I don't find myself being moved or unnerved by books or films, but some certain scenes in The Shining left me feeling a little "on edge". The reason for this, I think, is likely to be the psychological aspects of it when Jack becomes somewhat possessed and mindfucked (not an actual description in the book, but I find it to be suitably descriptive).
There were also some parts which I found to be incredibly similar to the film Ghost Ship, most notably the ballroom/disco scenes in which the protagonist discovers a large party going on when it should be empty.
I've recently had a number of discussions about this book and its contents and we've always come to the conclusion that Jack Torrance is very likely modelled after Stephen King - he writes, is a recovered alcoholic and talks of places like Maine and New England.
Unfortunately, the version I had was badly edited in parts causing some confusion to what was happening. I'd therefore not recommend you buy the Hodder version of this book and if possible, get an older one which is likely to be a bit better edited. Other than that, I have no complaints about this piece of literary genius.
I'm going to give this a rating of 4/5.
Wednesday 7 November 2012
About a Boy by Nick Hornby
One of my all-time favourite films, Nick Hornby's 1998 novel About a Boy is a book that I'm pretty sure could be read in a day. It's fast-paced, lively, amusing and interesting, all in one.
For anyone who hasn't seen or read it, I'll provide a small back-story. Will is a 36 year old Londoner who, apart from the odd day here and there, has never worked, not been married and is childless.
Marcus is the weird kid everyone avoids at school.
About a Boy is what happens when they meet.
Set in London around 1993 younger readers may find the book a little outdated. However, older readers who remember the 90s may just like the travel back in time. Along with this there is also the death of Kurt Cobain featured near the end.
As a casual read, this book is extremely entertaining, funny and heart-warming. I'd recommend it to anyone who has (or hasn't, for that matter) seen the film version. If easy reads are your thing, this is probably a book for you. It's also very easy to follow and doesn't contain any complicated plots anywhere.
I seem to recall myself cringing at some of the characters' comments or actions, most notably Marcus's who, before he meets Will (followed by Ellie) is extremely awkward, sings in class and listens to people like Toni Bennett. However, his meeting and hanging out with Will results in Marcus becoming somewhat 'cooler' and dressing a bit better.
Through my reading of About a Boy I did sometimes find a couple of characters (notably Will and Marcus) to be a little annoying in their comments or attitudes. I'm not sure if this was intentional from Hornby or not, but nonetheless, it didn't stop me from enjoying the book and being one I feel I'll be reading again sometime.
I found it to be well-written and researched and Hornby certainly knows how to put together a book that a lot of people will enjoy.
Overall rating: 4.5/5
For anyone who hasn't seen or read it, I'll provide a small back-story. Will is a 36 year old Londoner who, apart from the odd day here and there, has never worked, not been married and is childless.
Marcus is the weird kid everyone avoids at school.
About a Boy is what happens when they meet.
Set in London around 1993 younger readers may find the book a little outdated. However, older readers who remember the 90s may just like the travel back in time. Along with this there is also the death of Kurt Cobain featured near the end.
As a casual read, this book is extremely entertaining, funny and heart-warming. I'd recommend it to anyone who has (or hasn't, for that matter) seen the film version. If easy reads are your thing, this is probably a book for you. It's also very easy to follow and doesn't contain any complicated plots anywhere.
I seem to recall myself cringing at some of the characters' comments or actions, most notably Marcus's who, before he meets Will (followed by Ellie) is extremely awkward, sings in class and listens to people like Toni Bennett. However, his meeting and hanging out with Will results in Marcus becoming somewhat 'cooler' and dressing a bit better.
Through my reading of About a Boy I did sometimes find a couple of characters (notably Will and Marcus) to be a little annoying in their comments or attitudes. I'm not sure if this was intentional from Hornby or not, but nonetheless, it didn't stop me from enjoying the book and being one I feel I'll be reading again sometime.
I found it to be well-written and researched and Hornby certainly knows how to put together a book that a lot of people will enjoy.
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)